Former Congressman Bob Turner.

In the wake of bribery charges being brought against the Queens Republican Party's executive vice president, Republican Councilman Eric Ulrich is calling for former Congressman Bob Turner to the lead the party.

"I want to see Bob Turner as the next chairman and I want [Queens GOP Chair] Phil Ragusa to resign immediately," Mr. Ulrich told Politicker. "I believe Ragusa has an obligation to step aside. The only person who can bring peace and bring people together is Bob Turner because of his integrity, character and ability to work with people on different sides. He's very conciliatory."

Mr. Turner lost his congressional seat in the decennial redistricting process last year. He has been a rumored candidate to replace Mr. Ragusa, who angered some party insiders when he ran a primary opponent against Mr. Ulrich's State Senate bid last year--the latest in what has been an ongoing feud between the party's two factions. For his part, Mr. Ulrich also tried and failed to oust Mr. Ragusa in 2011.

Mr. Ulrich further said he was shocked that his colleague, Republican Councilman Dan Halloran, was charged with participating in an alleged bribery scheme to land Democratic State Sen. Malcolm Smith in the Republican primary, but was not surprised Vince Tabone, the executive vice president of the Queens GOP, was arrested as well.

"I've said all along and believe for a long time that [Mr. Tabone] and several others involved with county leadership have betrayed the public trust," Mr. Ulrich said. "They don' t stand for principals or ideology. They stand for themselves and financial gain. Now that the feds have gotten wind of this, they must be brought to justice. They should be prosecuted and held accountable for their actions."

A spokesman for Mr. Turner did not immediately return a request for comment. Mr. Ragusa didn't return a request for comment, either.

(Photo: Getty)

In 1981, when Ed Koch was mayor, President Barack Obama moved to New York City to study at Columbia University. Today, Mr. Obama joined New Yorkers in mourning Mr. Koch's death.

"Ed Koch was an extraordinary Mayor, irrepressible character, and quintessential New Yorker," Mr. Obama said in a statement. "He took office at a time when New York was in fiscal crisis, and helped his city achieve economic renewal, expand affordable housing, and extend opportunity to more of its people."

Mr. Koch's and Mr. Obama's relationship warmed and cooled in recent years. Mr. Koch endorsed Mr. Obama in the 2008 presidential election but began to sharply criticize his administration's treatment of Israel, especially when the president called for the country's pre-1967 borders to be the starting point for a Palestinian peace deal. Mr. Koch's frustration notably culminated in 2011, when he openly considered a cross-party endorsement in the special election to replace outgoing Rep. Anthony Weiner.

"I saw him appear on New York 1 where he suggested he might support the Republican candidate in a special election--that would be me--as a protest against President Obama's Israeli policy," former Congressman Bob Turner told Politicker this afternoon. "So I called him."

The two scheduled a meeting at Mr. Koch's Manhattan office where they clicked on key elements of foreign and domestic policy. Mr. Koch determined that a high-profile election in a heavily Jewish congressional district was exactly the right route to influencing Mr. Obama.

"I think he was a little cagey but he was really charming," Mr. Turner recalled. "He told me he had supported Republicans in the past but it's not something he's crazy about. He made his points clear. ... He came out to political events, he was quite helpful. I think he was the determining factor in that special election. ... Wherever he went he was very well-received. He had a higher popularity rating than the New York Yankees! He was in the high 70's of approval."

Mr. Turner would go on to win that election in an upset, and after Mr. Obama subsequently gave a staunchly pro-Israel speech at the United Nations, Mr. Koch considered his "message" to Mr. Obama on Israel very much sent. Mr. Koch endorsed the president's reelection campaign just a few weeks after Mr. Turner's victory.

"I believe the recent vote in the 9th Congressional District in New York affected in a positive way the policy of the U.S. on the Mideast," the former mayor explained at the time

For his part, Mr. Obama referenced Mr. Koch's advocacy for Israel in his statement today.

"In public office and beyond, his energy, force of personality, and commitment to causes ranging from civic issues to the security of the state of Israel always informed and enlivened the public discourse," the president said. "Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Ed’s loved ones, and to the city that survives him."

(Photo: Getty)

Last year, GOP Congressman Bob Turner drew national headlines when he notched an upset victory in the special election to replace Rep. Anthony Weiner, whose infaous lewd tweet led to the liberal firebrand's resignation. However, after giving up his seat for a failed Senate bid and watching his party lose the presidential election, it sounds like Mr. Turner might be giving up the political life.

"I'm very disappointed, but the country has changed, its demographics, its values, but I'm part of the old guard," Mr. Turner said at Councilman Eric Ulrich's election night event, according to Forest Hills Patch. "I think it's a really sad day."

Mr. Ulrich campaigned to represent Mr. Turner in the State Senate, but was unsuccessful against incumbent Joe Addabbo. Another big loss that night was attorney Wendy Long, who was electorally clobbered by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. After his district was chopped up in redistricting, Mr. Turner himself had attempted to run against Ms. Gillibrand, but was unable to secure enough support in the Republican primary.

“They get their candidate and then leave her alone,” Mr. Turner told Crain's Insider to explain Ms. Long's loss. “No money, no media credibility, no organization. And just, ‘OK, kid, it’s yours.’"

Of course, Mr. Turner has a lot more going on in his life than political races. During Hurricane Sandy, his home was among the 100 that burned down in Breezy Point. On Election Day, he said he wasn't sure what his next move would be, only what it wouldn't.

"I deliberately made no decision until today on what I'm going to do, and one of those things is going to be not to be in politics," Mr. Turner stated. "So that's part of the decision."

(h/t gestetnerupdates.com)

The tree leaning against Councilman Brad Lander's house. (photo: @bradlander)

Demonstrating that Mother Nature goes about her work without fear or favor, several prominent New York political figures were among the thousands who had their homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy this week.

In the middle of an interview with the Queens Times Ledger, for example, Far Rockaway Councilman James Sanders exclaimed, “A tree has fallen on my wife’s car.” Asked whether he wished he had left his flooded neighborhood, which was in the mandatory evacuation Zone A, Mr. Sanders expressed only one regret.

“I expected this and worse,” he said. “I regret not moving my wife’s car.”

Mr. Sanders and his wife were among the lucky ones on the southern coast of Queens and Brooklyn. His district was particularly hard-hit, suffering flooding and fire damage that left many homes in the area leveled and charred in a scene many have described as looking like a war zone.

Other political types were hit far worse. At the tip of the Rockaway peninsula, for example, a good portion of the Breezy Point section burned down, including the homes of Congressman Bob Turner and State Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long. Both made it out safe.

Another lawmaker suffering hurricane-related damage was Park Slope Councilman Brad Lander, who, like many elected officials, was out and about during the storm, surveying damage and assisting constituents where he was able.

“Starting to get reports of trees down in the area,” Mr. Lander tweeted at one point, only to experience the reality for himself.

“Alas, this is our tree. Fallen on our house,” he later announced, attaching a photo of the uprooted lumber leaning into his home. “Everyone ok. Will be off Twitter a while. Can’t tweet own emergency.”

About 45 minutes later, Mr. Lander returned and revived his steady stream of updates, noting the storm-related chaos in Atlantic City, which was largely flooded.

“Horrible. Puts tree on our house in perspective, big time,” Mr. Lander wrote.

Mr. Lander and Mr. Sanders weren’t alone in their tree troubles. Carlo Scissura, a former chief of staff to Borough President Marty Markowitz, who gave up his own campaign for borough president to head the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, told us he suffered a similar fate.

“So I’m sitting my living room last night, and I have this tree that I put in when I started law school, so 1992. So, that was my thing, we’re putting the tree in, etc.,” Mr. Scissura said when we spoke with him Tuesday. “I’m looking at it yesterday, and 8 o’clock last night, the first part of it went down ... All that’s left now is the tree trunk and a few branches.”

Mr. Scissura described the damage to his Dyker Heights home as relatively extensive, although far less than that suffered by residents in low-lying areas.

“The gate is destroyed; the steps are pretty bad. It ripped the gate out of the outside of the house. So it’s pretty bad,” he said. “But you know what? No one got hurt, so we’ll fix it.”

We mentioned Mr. Lander’s situation, which Mr. Scissura said he saw unfold over Twitter.

“Brad and I have been commiserating over our house trees,” he jested. “I told Brad since his is just leaning, mine takes the cake so far.”

(Photo: Assemblyman Goldfeder, @YPGoldfeder)

Breezy Point, on the tip of the Rockaway Peninsula, was among the most devastated neighborhoods in New York City in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Indeed, floods and fires left the area reminiscent of a war zone.

The fires also claimed the homes of Congressman Bob Turner and State Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long, Crain's Insider reported. Fortunately, Mr. Turner's office told the publication that the congressman and his wife made it out safely. Mr. Long is safe-and-sound too.

A number of other elected officials have also suffered storm damage, but nowhere near what Mr. Turner and Mr. Long endured. A tree fell onto Councilman Brad Lander's house, for example, as well as on his colleague James Sanders' car.

Mr. Sanders, who represents the hard-hit Far Rockaway neighborhood adjacent to Breezy Point, announced in the middle of an interview with the Queens Times Ledger, "A tree has fallen on my wife's car." Asked whether he regretted staying in his flooded neighborhood, Mr. Sanders replied, "I expected this and worse. I regret not moving my wife's car."

Update (2:29 p.m.): Mr. Turner provided the following statement:

“My thoughts and prayers are with all of my fellow New Yorkers and the many others who are experiencing loss as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Last night’s storm showed once again that the professionalism and bravery of our first responders is second to none. I want to commend the men and women who put their lives on the line everyday in order to keep others safe.

Times like these create tremendous obstacles. However, by working together we will ensure that the power is restored and our neighborhoods are rebuilt. I will be working with FEMA and other officials in the coming days to ensure that residents have access to the assistance they need. I would encourage people to go to my website or Facebook page to find information on how to contact emergency services.

I, along with many other Breezy Point residents, lost our homes last night and I am grateful that my family and I are safe after this destructive storm. I hope you will join me in lending a hand to those who were less fortunate and keep everyone impacted by this storm in your thoughts and prayers.”

Wendy Long (Photo: NY1)

Throughout Rep. Bob Turner's unsuccessful U.S. Senate campaign this year, the candidate often cited his support from the Jewish community to argue for his unique general election appeal and why he was the sole candidate who could beat Kirsten Gillibrand in the fall. Mr. Turner, of course, won in upset special election last year by scoring high margins among observant Jewish voters. Yet, on the front page of Hamodia, a prominent Orthodox Jewish daily, Mr. Turner's former opponent and current Republican nominee Wendy Long saw her praises sung.

"Wendy Long was chosen by Republicans to take on Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who has championed a progressive social agenda at the expense of the weakening economy," Yochonon Donn, an editor at Hamodia, wrote. "Long has promised that she has a unique experience in fighting that."

The editorial continues, "Long is a strong conservative leader with experience in judicial affairs from her time spent clerking for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and helping to shepherd President W. Bush's nomination of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito through congressional hearings."

Of course, the line about Mr. Roberts takes on new meaning today, as he was the key swing vote upholding President Barack Obama's health care insurance mandate. Ms. Long made no specific mention of Mr. Roberts in her statement on the issue today, simply stating, "I respectfully disagree that Obamacare's individual mandate is justified as a tax."

Update: For what it's worth, Ms. Long did apparently did mention Mr. Roberts on the radio this morning, saying on The Capitol Pressroom, "I fundamentally disagree with what Chief Justice Roberts did, which was to label ObamaCare a proper tax under Congress’ taxing power, it really isn’t."

Bob Turner (Photo: Facebook)

Political candidates generally impound ballots in elections where there is suspected voter fraud, Congressman Bob Turner's campaign says they want the ballots in today's three-way Republican Senate primary impounded just to be on the safe side of things. Mr. Turner's campaign sent out a statement this evening announcing they have ordered the ballots impounded "to ensure the integrity of every vote in what may be shaping up as the lowest turnout in New York primary history."

"The Turner campaign is committed to ensuring the integrity of every vote and impounding the ballots is the best way to achieve that for the good of all the campaigns," campaign spokeswoman Jessica Proud said. "In the meantime, we are urging as many Republicans as possible to get to the polls before 9 p.m. to support the candidate of their choice."

Ms. Proud noted "reports statewide of extremely low voter turnout" due to this year's unusually early primary date. The Turner campaign's statement mentioned no potential issues of voter fraud and did not make it clear why a low number of votes would necessitate impounding ballots. Ms. Proud did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this story.

"There has never before been a June federal primary in New York, and many voters are away with their school age children who were just let out for summer vacation," the statement said.

Having the ballots impounded leaves an opening for the primary candidates to potentially challenge the initial results. Mr. Turner is running against attorney Wendy Long and Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos for the chance to run against Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on the Republican ticket in November. Recent polls all showed Mr. Turner ahead of his rivals.

One of the hecklers on the left and the army of children on the right. Bob Turner is somewhere in the middle.

Who knew a conflict that pits Justin Bieber against "Proud to be an American" could be so contentious?

For those not paying attention, a kindergarten decided to switch out the famously patriotic song with Mr. Bieber's "Baby" for a graduation ceremony a week or so ago, causing a number of Republican officials, like Rep. Michael Grimm to lash out at the decision. Today, another one of those officials, Congressman and U.S. Senate hopeful Bob Turner, held a press conference adjacent to the school in question where he sung "Proud to be an American" with a swarm of small children waving flags.

Well, not everyone thought that was a swell idea.

"You Republicans come go to a Republican area and do that, we don't do that here," one of the several hecklers yelled out early on. "This is ridiculous, this is sad. This is so crazy. This is sad."

"Excuse me sir, can you let the kids sing please?" Mr. Turner's staffer interjected.

"No!" came the bolted response. "The kids don't even know what they're singing! They got something you tell them to say! It's ridiculous! It's sad, sad, sad. Y'all are going to burn in hell! You all burn in hell! Shame on you! Shame on you!"

At one point the kids start chanting "USA! USA! USA" to drown out the heckler, but that doesn't exactly cause him to quit yelling at the crowd of small children and organizers.

Watch the entire affair below, which is fairly impressive as far as press conferences ago. At one point it features a random bearded individual of unknown affiliation playing a harmonica in front of the cameras:

The three candidates last night.

The three candidates seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand debated last night and several interesting moments came up when discussing the same sex marriage New York enacted last year.

Notably, when one of the candidates, Wendy Long, faced a question as to whether she would, on principle, refuse to attend a same-sex wedding, she answered with a firm "yes."

The line of questioning appeared to move on before George Maragos could answer the question, but for his part, Bob Turner said, "I would not refuse, no."

Ms. Long's position places her further to the right of many Republicans in New York City, several of whom attended Council Speaker Christine Quinn's marriage to her longtime partner, Kim Catullo, last month.

Ms. Long, however, placed some space between her candidacy and the gay marriage issue, which she has made controversial comments on in the past.

"I can't do anything to overturn the state law," she said when asked if her campaign could be linked to efforts to overturn New York's marriage law. "My position is that marriage should be between a man and a woman. ... [But] as a federal legislator there's nothing in practical terms that I can do about it. And from a Constitutional standpoint I do respect the right of states to decide these issues for themselves."

Ms. Long is backed by the state's Conservative Party, which heavily emphasizes opposition to gay marriage, and Mr. Maragos took a shot at her over what he felt was the inconsistency between her rhetoric and the Conservatives.

"According to the Conservative Party you cannot be a true conservative if you do not advocate a repeal of the New York State law," he declared.

"I assure you that I have their full support, in fact I was nominated unanimously to be their nominee," Ms. Long shot back.

"When your opponents are fighting it's better to sit back and watch," Mr. Turner mused on the back-and-forth between his rivals. “This ship has sailed in New York. I want to keep the focus on jobs and the economy."

"Let's get on to the other issues," he added.

(Photo: Getty)

Congressman Bob Turner certainly isn't done showcasing his endorsement from former Mayor Rudy Giulaini as he seeks the Republican nomination to battle Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in the fall.

"Bob Turner is a businessman and a patriotic New Yorker," Mr. Giuliani declared in a radio ad released by Mr. Turner's campaign this morning. "He's fed up with what's going on in Washington. And he's running to help get our economy moving again. Bob Turner knows how to create jobs. He's been creating them all his life."

The ad can't hurt -- especially as Mr. Turner's and his two Republican opponents are competing in an electorate that is almost entirely unaware who any of them are. According to the most recent Siena poll, about 70% of New York has no opinion of Mr. Turner while about 80% of the state similarly shrugs for attorney Wendy Long and Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos.

The election is two weeks away, so all of the candidates will need to hustle to get their message out quickly.

Listen to commercial below: